Article handling apparatus



March 8, 1960 H. E'. LAMBERT ARTICLE: HANDLING APPARATUS 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April s. 195e March 8, 1960 H. E. LAMBERT ARTICLE HANDLING APPARATUS 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 5, 1956 .w @rm www A@ March 8, 1960 H. E. LAMBERT 2,927,512

ARTICLE HANDLING APPARATUS Filed April 3, 1956 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 United States Patent ARTICLE HANDLING APPARATUS Harry E. Lambert, Gary, Ind., assigner to Central Fibre Products Company, Quincy, Ill., a corporation of Delaware Application April 3, 19'56, Serial No. 575,842

6 Claims. (Cl. 9393) This invention relates to improved article handling apparatus and more particularly to apparatus for receiving a plurality of sheet-like articles one at a time and forming a stack of said articles with predetermined ones marked to divide said stack into a plurality of uniform groups.

lIn packing eggs for shipment it is customary to use a standard case adapted to receive thirty dozen eggs or a half case which receives fifteen dozen eggs. The eggs are disposed in such cases in a plurality of layers and the layers are separated by shaped relatively dat sheet-like dividers generally termed flats Each flat has a plurality of recesses formed therein, each forming a cradle to receive an egg and, conventionally, thirty-six such recesses being formed in each at. Thus, in a typical half case five such layers are required and, thus, six flats are utilized, one below and one above the assembly of eggs and one between each layer of eggs. In packing the eggs for shipment it is necessary to quickly remove the neces'- sary number of ats from a large stack and it is desirable that the worker may without difficulty or loss of time rapidly select the proper number of flats for a single case. If the worker is required to count the dats, much time is lost and consequently the expense of the case is increased.

In the above described system, a grid-like assembly, generally called a tillen is used in association with the flats to maintain them in spaced relationship and to dene cavities to receive individual eggs. In the alternative, eggs are packaged in conventional cases utilizing a single spacing and supporting member combining the function f the ilats andiillers mentioned above. These are deeply contoured sheets having conical recesses and protuberances which abut and define egg receiving cavities. In this type of packing'it is possible to include six layers of eggs in a conventional case and only thirty eggs are disposed in each layer,k thereby providing the conventional number of. eggs in a half case and in a full case. Thus, in forming a stack of filler-dats it is desirable that a r'ic paratus for the production of a stack of sheets having predetermined ones marked to identify uniform groups.

mark be visible to indicate every seventh element if preparing half cases, and every fourteenth element if preparing full cases.

As theflats, or filler-flats, are shipped they are tightly compressed into a stack of several hundredy elements and, as already described, only six, seven, twelve, or fourteen are generally required for each case. It has heretofore been proposedthat a slip of paper or ag be disposed at intervals throughout the stack to subdivide the stack and readily enable the worker to remove the proper number for each case. However, these ags have been generally unsatisfactory as they accumulate in the work area, interfere with normal handling of the stack, and are frequently torn or removed prematurely.

'To avoid the-various difficulties recited above it is one purpose of this invention to provide an improved stack ofv overlying sheets having predetermined ones of said sheets-marked to subdividesaid stack into uniform groups.

It is another object of this inventionjto provide apt is still another object of this invention to provide apparatus for permanently marking selected ones of a plurality of sheets passing therethrough.

lt is a further object of this invention to provide improved apparatus for marking predetermined ones of a plurality of sheets without interfering with the normal operation of apparatus which manufactures and assembles said sheets into stacks.

It is another object of this invention to provide apparatus for marking only select ones of a series of individual sheets and to quickly and accurately select. the predetermined sheets to be marked.

It is still a further object of this invention to provide improved means for identifying predetermined ones of a stack of sheets whereby the stack is divided' into groups which are readily detectable and permanently marked.

It is another object of this invention to provide means for receiving a plurality of egg ilats in aligned spaced relationship moving along a linear path and to mark predetermined ones of said ats whereby said ats may be subsequently formed into a stack divided into uniform groups by said marks.

It is another object of this invention to mark select egg flats continuously to form a stack divided into predetermined uniform groups by said marks.

Further and additional objects of this invention will become manifest from a consideration of this specication, the accompanying drawings and appended claims.

`In one form of this invention apparatus is provided to continuously receive molded egg flats as they are manufactured and to pass them, one at a time, through a counting and marking machine, after which the flats are formed into a stackv with predetermined ones of said ats marked along their edges to divide said stack y into predetermined uniform groups.

For a more complete understanding of this invention reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings wherein:

Fig. l is a diagrammatic illustration of the basic mechanical and electrical components ofone embodiment of this invention shown in elevation;

Fig. 2 is a plan View of the embodiment of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is apartial enlarged view of the marking components of the embodiment of Fig. l;

Fig. 4 illustrates the mechanical adjusting means for the marking roller illustrated in Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a plan view of an egg at marked in accordance with this invention; y

Fig. ois an enlarged partial plan View of the marking components of Fig. 3;

Fig. 7 is an end view of the components illustrated in Fig. 3;

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a stack of egg flats marked in accordance with this invention; and

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary illustration of the ink feed nozzle utilized with the embodiment of Fig. l.

Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to Fig. l, one embodiment of this invention is illustrated adapted to receive egg flats 10 as they emerge from a drying oven 12 which constitutes the last stage in the manufacture of molded ilats. The flats 10 are received on conveyor belts 14 and lcarried past a marking position 16 to a stacking receiver 18. As the individual ats 10 reach the marking position 16, their presence is sensed by a photoelectric unit 20 and upon the passage of a. predetermined number of ats, the photoelectric unit 20, through an electric circuit 22 to be described, actuates a pair of solenoids Z4 which shift a pair of ink applying rollers 26 into engagement with the parallel outer edges of the particular selected flat 10a. i

Thus as the flats accumulate in the stacker 18 predetermined ones a will have an inked mark along opposed outer edges thereof whereby the stack may readily be subdivided into groups when the ats are subsequently used. As already described, the particular interval between marked sheets 10a will be determined by the ultimate use to be made thereof.

A completed stack 28 is illustrated in Fig. 8. Therein approximately 206 flats are assembled in overlying juxtaposed relationship and every twelfth flat 10a bears a colored edge clearly indicating the dividing line between adjacent groups. The stack 28, in conventional practice, is compressed and the force of compression generally is suiiicient to hold the flats in stacked form. However, a strap 30 is generally provided to maintain the stack in assembled relationship for safety in shipment and handling. Corner cushions 32 of paper or cardboard are generally provided.

A single marked fiat is illustrated in Fig. 5. The fiat 16a illustrated in Fig. 5 has passed through the apparatus of the invention in the direction indicated by arrow 34. As this was a selected at comprising the last at in a group, ink was applied to the parallel edges 36a and 36D. As will be apparent, dat 10a is provided with a plurality of recesses 38 adapted to receive eggs in the conventional manner.

The conveyor belts 14 are mounted on a pair of spaced drums 4t) and 42 and driven continuously by a conventional induction motor 44 through a gear reducer 46 and flexible belt 48. A second pair of continuous belts 50 are provided above the conveyor 14 to engage the upper surface of the flats 10 and thus positively position the flats on the conveyor and insure continuous positive movement of the flats therealong. The belts 50 are mounted on a pair of rollers 52 and 54 and conn tinuously driven from motor 44 through a flexible belt 56. The upper belts 50 preferably lie between adjacent rows of recesses or nests 38, as shown best in Fig. 7, to avoid possible damage to the product being handled. Each of the inking rollers 26 receives ink from a pair of idler rollers 58 and 60 and the idler rollers, in turn, receive ink from a reservoir 62 disposed above the apparan tus. Reservoir 62 is mounted above the printing machanism on bracket 65. Ink from reservoir 62 is fed by gravity through a needle valve 64 and nozzle 66 to the idler rollers 58 and 60. This apparatus is more clearly illustrated in Figs. 2, 3, 6 and 7.

Referring to Figs. 6 and 7, each marking roller 26 and the associated idler rollers 58 and 60 are mounted in a single unitary support 68. The marking roller 26 is mounted on a shaft 70 which is rotatably carried in appropriate bushings in the support 68. A sheave 72 is fixed to the upper portion of shaft 70 and is continuously driven by belt 74 whereby the marking roller 26 is driven at substantially the same speed as the flats 10. The belt 74 is mounted on an intermediate sheave 76 which is driven through belt 78 from roller 52. Thus the conveyor 14, upper belts 50 and rollers 26 are driven from a common source insuring synchronism of movement and accuracy in operation. The support 68 is pivotally mounted in bracket 80 on pin 82. The supports 68 and consequently the marking rollers 26 are normally maintained out of the path of flats 10 by springs 84.

When a predetermined number of flats 10 has passed the marking position 16 the circuit 22 responds energizing solenoids 24. Each solenoid 24 has a movable armature 86 connected through link 88 to one end of suport 68. When soleniod 24 is energized, armature 86 is moved to the left as illustrated in Fig. 6 rotating support V68 about the axis of pin 82 to place the printing roller 26 in position to engage the outer edge 36a of flat 10a. 'As the roller 26 is carrying an inkV or dye Von the periphery thereof the die is transferred to edge 36a producingr a permanent mark thereon.

As already de- I scribed, transfer rollers 58 and 60 receive the dye from the reservoir 62 through nozzle 66. The nozzle 66deposits the dye at the point of contact of idler rollers S8 and 60. Rollers 58 and 68 are of different diameters whereby continued rotation of the rollers produces substantially uniform distribution of the ink over both idler rollers and the marking roller 25 which is in continuous engagement with and drives idler roller 60.

To insure the proper contact between marking roller 26 and edge 36a of flat itin, an adjustment is provided for positioning solenoid 24. It will be clear that, while one printing unit is described in detail, two symmetrical units are mounted, one on each side of the at path. As shown best in Fig. 4, solenoid 24 is mounted on a slidable carrier 90 which is held on a track 92 by a pair of guides 94 and 96. Guides 94 and 96 are secured to track 92 by a plurality of machine screws 98 with an everlying lip 181i engaging the solenoid carrier 90. A rotatable manually operable adjusting knob E62 is mounted for rotation in a pillow block 164 secured to track 92. The free end 166 of the manually rotatable knob 192 is threaded and engages a correspondingly threaded bushing 188 xed to solenoid support 98. Thus, rotating knob 102 moves the solenoid support 96 through the guides 94 and 96 to the desired position. The solenoid, when properly adjusted, may be locked in place by tightening rnachine screws `which are threaded into solenoid support 9i? and pass through elongate slots 112 in track 92. Thus, as is clear from the assembly drawing, Fig. 6, adjustment of knob will shift solenoid 24 and consequently rotate roller support 68 to produce the desired positioning of roller 26 relative to the at plath. The end of armature 86 extending through solenoid 24 may have a further stop 114 fixed thereto, thus establishing the position of the rollers when in the unactuated condition. The idle position of roller 26 does not require accurate control and may vary over a substantial range. The principal purpose in providing adjustable stop 114 is to limit the travel of armature 86 whereby the idler rollers 58 and 68 will always be disposed in proper alignment beneath ink nozzle 66.

The bracket 80 which supports the roller assembly is mounted permanently on a transverse support 116 extending across the flat path and fixed on either side thereof. It will be understood that while one marking roller assembly is here described in detail a symmetrical assembly will be provided on the opposite side of the flat path to similarly identify the opposite parallel side of ats moving therealong. Only the coil spring 84a and supporting post 118a of the second marking assembly are illustrated ,in Figs. 6 and 7, although the entire assembly is illustrated in Fig. 2.

The mounting forone idler roller S8 is illustrated in section in Fig. 7. It will be understood that a similar mounting is employed for idler roller 60 and a somewhat similar technique is utilized for mounting marking roller 26 in support 68. A pair of ball bearing assemblies 119 and 12@ are disposed within a cylindrical housing 122, clamped in an aperture in support 68 by cover plate 69. Cover plate 69 is secured over a portion of support Y68 by three machine screws 67. A shaft 124 is rotatably mounted in the housing and secured to the inner races of the ball bearing assemblies. An upper cap 126 threadedly engages housing 122 and clamps ball bearing assembly therein. Shaft 124 is maintained in position within the assembly by a pair of nuts 128 and 130 which threadedly engage shaft 124 and clamp the ball bearing assemblies 120 and 119 therebetween. Idler roller 58 which is preferably made of an absorbent feltvmaterial is mounted on a metal core 132 which is clamped between nut 130 and a holding nut 134.

As already described, it is desirable in forming a stack of egg flats to mark predetermined flats so that the completed stack will lbe divided into uniform groups. yThe marking of a particular number of flats dividing the stack into groups of a predetermined size will depend upon the use to be made of the stack. The exemplary embodiment described provides a stack divided into groups of twelve ats each. Thus, every twelfth at must bear the edge marking and the apparatus described herein `is designed to automatically select every twelfth flat a passing along the conveyor 14 and automatically actuate the marking rollers 26 to engage the opposite edges thereof.

The manner in which this is accomplished is clearly shown in Fig. 1. A light source 136 is mounted above the ats 10 providing a collimated beam directed downwardly to the photocell unit 20.` The light source 136 and ph'otocell unit 20 maybe independently energized in any conventional manner. Generally the photocell unit 26 will include a photosensitive cell and a sensitive relay or an electronic amplifier so that light falling on the photocell will actuate a relay, closing contacts capable of carrying substantial current. Closure of the photocell contacts will provide a circuit through conductors 138 and 139 which is normally open and is closed whenever light source 136 illuminates the photocell. Illumination of photocell unit closes a circuit through relay winding 140 to open normally closed switch 142 and Vclose normally open switch 144. This circuit may be traced from terminal 146 through conductors 148 and 150, relay winding 140, conductors 152 and 138, the closed contacts of photoelectric unit 20, conductor 139 and conductor 154 to ground terminal 156. Terminals 146 and 156 may be 4connected to any conventional supply of electric power but it is preferred that a D.C. potential be applied to these terminals for optimum operation ofthe circuit components employed.-

Closure of switch 144 energizes coil 158 through a circuit from terminal '146' through conductor 148, coil 158, switch 144, conductors 152 and 138, photocell unit 20, and conductors 139 and 154 to ground terminal 156. Energization of this circuit closes normally open switch 160. At the present time closure of switch 160 produces no further action in the circuit as normally open switch 162 remains open. However, as will appear, switch 160 and its actuating elements function as a control means to insure imprinting only during the presence of a single sheet in the printing position. A stepping relay 164 of any conventional design is provided to actuate switch 162. The showing of Fig. l is only diagrammatic to illustrate the principle involved and it will be clear that any technique for producing a plurality of steps to initiate a single circuit closure may be utilized herein. For example, conventional stepping relays employed in telephone practice or an electronic ring counter may be substituted for the device illustrated.

The stepping device 164 illustrated in Fig. l comprises rotatably mounted ratchet wheel 166 and a pair of detents 168 and 170 which engage the ratchet wheel and produce step by step rotation thereof. Energizing coil y172 draws armature 174 to the right, producing pivotal motiono'f lever 176 about pin 178 which is fixed in mounting 180. Detent 168 is in engagement with oney of the teeth of ratchet wheel 166 and maintained there by tension spring 182 so that motion of lever 176 moves detent 170 to the left in Fig. l engaging a succeeding tooth of ratchet wheel 166. Upon deenergization of. coil 172,

spring 184 draws lever 176 back to its original position carrying detent 170 to the right to its initial position and moving ratchet wheel 166 `through one-twelfth of one revolution. In so doing, detent 168 engages a subsequent tooth of wheel 166 preventing counterc'lockwise motion of wheel166 during subsequent cycles. Thus, Wheel 166 has twelve possible positions. In one of said twelve .positions a cam lobe V186 carried on acam wheel 185,1ixed for rotation with ratchet wheel `166, engages movable contact 188 of switch 162, closing that switch.

i, the desired result.

As already described, each time a at 10 interrupts the beam from light source 136, switch 142 opens. Coil V172 is normally energized through the following circuit: Terminal 146, conductors 148 and 159, coil 172, conductor .190, switch V142, conductors 152 and 138, photoelectric unit 20, conductors 139 and 154, and ground terminal 156. Thus, each time a flat passes over the photocell, coil 172 is deenergized and ratchet wheel 166 and cam wheel 185 are stepped through one position. A resistor 192 and condenser 194 are connected in parallel with coil 172 to provide conventional arc suppression and contact protection. Y

Upon the arrival of the twelfth at at the marking position, lobe 186 closes switch 162 and solenoids 24 are energized. The solenoid circuit may be traced from terminal 146 through conductor 196, coils of solenoids 24, conductor 198, switches 162 and 160 to ground terminal 156. Thus, the printing solenoids are energized and the marking rollers 26 are moved into the iiat path to mark the edges of the twelfth flat 10a. Immediately upon the passage of the twelfth flat 10a beyond the light beam of source 136, photoelectric -unit 2t) `is deactuated opening the circuit of coil 140, consequently closing switch 142 and opening switch 144. This deenergizes coil 158 and opens .switch 160 to deenergize marking solenoids 24 and move the printing rollers out of the flat path. Thus, even though the stepping relay remains in the twelfth position with switch 162 closed,the printing roller is withdrawn to its idle position. Upon the arrival of a thirteenth flat which interrupts the light beam, switch will be reclosed, but ratchetwheel 166 Will moveto the thirteenth or first position, thus reopening switch 162 and no printing will occur on the thirteenth fiat. If the circuitry described above were not employed, the thirteenth lia-t would in 'many cases be partially marked before the stepping relay were actuated to move the marking roller out of the actuated position.

From the foregoing description it will be clear that apparatus is provided by this invention for automatically passing a plurality of sheets along a linear path is aligned spaced relationship to be registered, whereby predetermined ones of said flats may be marked for identification purposes. Marking of predetermined sheets is under the joint control of means which registers the total number of sheets passing the marking position and the instantaneous presence of a sheet at the marking position whereby accurate repetitive marking of only single predetermined uniformly spaced sheets is insured. The ap'- paratus automatically passes the aligned sheets into a receiver in which they are stacked in overlying relationshipe to provide a stack of sheets subdivided into uniformly marked groups.

While one particular apparatus is herein described in detail for accomplishing the purpose of this invention, it will be manifest that one skilled in this art may make certain substitutions of components while accomplishing For example, a switch or other rnechanical device may be substituted for the light source and photoelectric unit described to sense the presence of a sheet at the marking position. Furthermore, while in this embodimeit a continuously driven marking roller carrying a low viscosity aniline dye'is contemplated for identifying predetermined sheets, it Will be apparent that other means may be substituted therefor, such as a roller adapted to defoirn the edges of predetermined sheets or in other Ways clearly identifying such sheets.

While particular embodiments of this invention have been illustrated and described, it will be understood, of course, that'the invention is not to be limited thereto, since many modifications may be made, and it is contemplated therefore bythe appended claims to cover any such modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of this invention.

I'claim:

l. In apparatus for assembling afplurality of like "contoured egg flats into a stack having said ats disposed in overlying juxtaposed relationship with predetermined spaced ones of said flats marked to divide said stack into a plurality of like groups, conveyor means moving said flats in aligned spaced coplanar relationship along a linear path, means to receive said flats one at a time from said conveyor to form said stack, circuit closing means at a marking position detecting the passage of individual ats relative to said marking position along said path, marking rollers at said marking position to engage the opposite edges of said flats as they move along said conveyor means, electromagnetic means actuated by said circuit closing means when one of said ats is in said marking position, a switch closed by said electromagnetic means, a multiple position stepping means actuated by said electromagnetic means upon arrival of one of said iiats at said marking position, Contact means actuatedin only one position of said stepping means, sheet marking rollers rotatably mounted adjacent each side of said path. at said marking position, means under the joint control of said switch when closed and said contact means when actuated to move said rollers into the path of said flats to engage the edges thereof and place identifying marks thereon and means returning said marking rollers out of said path when said predetermined one sheet leaves said marking position.

2. Pack assembly apparatus for a plnrality of substan tially identical generally fiat sheets comprisingv carrier means moving a plurality of said sheets disposed in a plane in aligned spaced relationship along a linear path, detector means at an identifying position in said path for detecting the passage of said sheets relative'to said identifying position, register means actuated by said detector means in response to passage of a predetermined number of said sheets past said identifying position and `deactuated in response to passage of an additional sheet past said identifying position, marking-means disposed substantially at said identifying position for engaging predetermined ones of said sheets and remaining in engagement therewith while said predetermined ones are passing said identifying position, and control means actuated by said detector means in response to the presence of one of said sheets at said identifying position, said register means and said control means jointly actuating said marking means to place an identification marking along said predetermined ones Whenever said predetermined ones are at said identifying position, said control means deactuating said marking means in the absence of one of said sheets at said identifying position irrespective of the condition of said register means.

3. Pack assembly apparatus for a plurality of substantially identical generally fiat sheets comprising carrier means moving a plurality of said sheets disposed in a plane in aligned spaced relationship along a linear path, detector means at an identifying position in said path for detecting the passage of said sheets relative to said identifying position, register means actuated by said i detector means in response to passage of a predetermined number of said sheets past said identifying position and deactuated in response to passage of an additional sheet past said identifying position, marking means disposed substantially at said identifying position for engaging predetermined ones of said sheets and remaining in engagement therewith while said predetermined ones are passing said identifying position, control means actuated by said detector means in response to the presence of one of said sheets at said identifying position, said register means and said control means jointly actuating said marking means to place an identification marking along said predeterminedV ones whenever said predetermined ones are at said identifying position, saidvcontrol means deactuating said marking means in the absence of one of said sheets at said identifying position irrespective of the condition of said register means, and means receiving said sheets from said carrier means to form a pack of overlying stacked sheets having said predetermined spaced ones of said sheets bearing said identification Von the outer periphery of said pack.

4. Pack assembly apparatus for a plurality of substantially identical generally at sheets comprising carrier means moving a plurality of said sheets disposed in a plane in aligned spaced relationship along a linear path, detector means at an identifying position in said path for detecting the passage of said sheets relative to said identifying position, register means actuated by said detector means in response to passage of a predetermined number of said sheets past said identifying position and deactuated in response to passage of an additional sheet past said identifying position, marking means disposed in said plane substantially at said identifying position and transversely movable in said plane for engaging the oppositely disposed edges of only predetermined ones of said sheets and remaining in engagement therewith while said predetermined ones are passing said identifying position, control means actuated by said detector means in response to the presence of one of said sheets at said identifying position, said register means and said control means jointly actuating said marking means to place an identification marking along said predetermined ones whenever said predetermined ones are at said identifying position, said control means deactuating said marking means in the absence of one of said sheets at said identifying position irrespective of the condition of said register means, and means receiving said sheets from said carrier means to form a pack of overlying stacked sheets having said predetermined spaced ones of said sheets bearing said identification on the outer periphery of said pack.

5. Pack assembly apparatus for a plurality of substantially identical generally flat sheets comprising carrier means moving a plurality of said sheets disposed in a plane in aligned spaced relationship along a linear path, detector means at an identifying position in said path for detecting the passage of said sheets relative to said identifying position, register means actuated by said detector means in response to passage of a predetermined number of said sheets past said identifying position and deactuated in response to passage of an additional sheet past said identifying position, electromagnetic means under the joint control of said register means and said control means to move said marking means into engagen ment with said predetermined one of said sheets, marking means disposed in said plane substantially at said identifying position and transversely movable in said plane for engaging the oppositely disposed edges of only predetermined ones of said sheets and remaining in engagement therewith while said predetermined ones are passing said identifying position, control means actuated by said detector means in response to the presence of one of said sheets at said identifying position, said register means and said control means jointly actuating said marking means to place an identification marking along said predetermined ones whenever said predetermined ones are at said identifying position, said control means deactuating saidrmarking means in the absence of one of said sheets at said identifying position irrespective of the condition of said register means, and means receiving said sheets from said carrier means to form a pack of overlying stacked sheets having said predetermined spaced ones of said sheets bearing said identification on the outer periphery of said pack.

6. Pack assembly apparatus for a plurality of substantially identical generally flat sheets comprising carrier means moving a plurality of said sheets disposed in a plane in aligned spaced relationship along a linear path. detector means at an identifying position in said path for detecting the passage of said sheets relative to said identifying position, register means actuated by said detector means in response to passage of a predetermined number of said sheets past said identifying position and deactuated in response to passage of an additional sheet past said identifying position, electromagnetic means under the joint control of said register means and said control means to move said marking means into engagement with only predetermined ones of said sheets, means urging said imprinting means out of said path when said register means on said control means is deactuated, marking means disposed in said plane substantially at said identifying position and transversely movable in said plane for engaging the oppositely disposed edges of said predetermined ones of said sheets and remaining in engagement therewith While said predetermined ones are passing said identifying position, control means actuated by said detector means in response to the presence of one of said sheets at said identifying position, said regis ter means and said control means jointly actuating said marking means to place an identification marking along said predetermined ones whenever Ysaid predetermined ones are at said identifying position, said control means deactuating said marking means in the absence of one of said sheets at said identifying position irrespective of the condition of said register means, and means receiving said sheets from said carrier means to form a pack of overlying stacked sheets having said predetermined spaced ones of said sheets bearing said identification on the outer periphery of said pack.

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